A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basel vs. Kotor for Food, Old Town, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Basel or Kotor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Kotor, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Basel

Basel is a beautiful, vibrant, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kotor

Kotor is a historic, peaceful, and remote coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Basel and Kotor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Kotor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kotor. Although Basel and Kotor are popular destinations, Kotor has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kotor is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Basel attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. Kotor is famous for its medieval old town and its dramatic setting on the coastline surrounded by limestone cliffs. It is also well known for The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Kotor Cathedral).

How is Basel different from Kotor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kotor and Basel. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Basel or Kotor?

Basel is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Basel specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Basel or Kotor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kotor is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kotor is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Food is fresh and hearty, with many dishes including meats, cheeses, and bread. Popular local dishes include börek, black risotto, and pasulj (a type of baked beans prepared with meats and spices). Seafood is an obvious choice around town as well. Ask for whatever is fresh and enjoy a delicious meal. There are also a number of dessert cafes where you can enjoy pastries at a very affordable price.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Nightlife?

Basel is very good for nightlife. However, Kotor is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Basel has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Kotor doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It has some of the best nightlife in Montenegro, but outside of the summer months you'll find things are very calm. Head to the old town for the highest concentration of bars and clubs.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Resorts?

Kotor is a moderate coastal town for its resorts. However, Basel is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Kotor offers a few options. The town has mostly boutique hotels and apartments, particularly if you want to stay in old town.

Basel is not a resort destination.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kotor is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Kotor has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. It's possible to book snorkeling trips with a local vendor, or you can pack your own mask and snorkel and venture into the water on your own.

Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Beaches?

Kotor is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

Kotor has a beach worth visiting. Like many parts of the Mediterranean, the beaches are rocky and pebbly. Many of the beaches are small and quiet, giving them a personal and discovered vibe which many travelers appreciate.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for its Old Town?

Kotor is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Kotor is revered around the world. The city walls and compact historic area make the old town a unique place to explore.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Hiking?

Kotor is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Kotor draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The dramatic cliffs and sea views create some of the most beautiful coastal hikes that you'll find. Trails range from walking paths to more strenuous routes like the Ladder of Kotor Hike, which has many switchbacks and stunning views.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Kotor?

Basel is well known for shopping. However, Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Basel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Families?

Basel is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kotor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Kotor offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy wandering the streets of old town, exploring the city's fortress, or making their way around the city walls. There are a few beaches to explore, but they are a bit rocky. It's also fun to get out on the water on a boat ride.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Couples?

Kotor is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Kotor is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming old town, picturesque views, and quaint personality of the town make this a great couple's get away. Whether you want to lounge on the water's edge or soak up the unique culture, there are many hidden sides to the coastal town.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kotor is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kotor is a great coastal town to visit for backpackers. The town is affordable and reasonably accessible, making it a great option for backpackers. It's not as touristy as some of the more popular coastal towns in the area, so you can enjoy a bit of authenticity without spending big bucks.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Students?

Basel is well known for students. However, Kotor is not popular with students.

Basel is very popular with students. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Kotor is not popular with students.

Is Basel or Kotor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is well known for its public transit. However, Kotor is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Basel can move around easily with public transportation. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kotor. Cars aren't allowed in the old town, but you can travel to nearby town's by bus. Most leave from the town's main bus station with higher frequency during the summer months.

Is Basel or Kotor a more walkable city?

Basel and Kotor both are terrific when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Kotor. The old town is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Kotor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kotor or Basel?

How long in Basel or Kotor?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel or Kotor. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kotor due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 3-4 days is enough time in Kotor.

Couples should spend more time in Kotor than Basel. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kotor that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kotor than Basel if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kotor.

One day in Basel or Kotor?

In Basel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Even though Kotor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Basel or Kotor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kotor. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or Kotor?

Basel is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Kotor is a fun place to experience. Kotor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Kotor?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kotor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Kotor, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Kotor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kotor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kotor and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Kotor.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Basel Expensive? and Is Kotor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Basel or Kotor?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Kotor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Basel or Kotor?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Basel or Kotor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Kotor. Most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Basel is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kotor this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Kotor. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Kotor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Kotor. The autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kotor this time of year.

Basel is cooler than Kotor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Basel usually gets less rain in October than Kotor. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Kotor in the Winter?

Both Kotor and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kotor for the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. In the winter, Basel is much colder than Kotor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Kotor averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In January, Basel usually receives less rain than Kotor. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Kotor in the Spring?

Both Kotor and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Kotor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Basel is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun.

Kotor gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Basel usually gets less rain in April than Kotor. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kotor and Basel